After the children return to school, many of the UK’s best attractions become less crowded. This makes it an ideal time for those not tied to school holidays to experience an enjoyable day out. The weather is generally still warm, making it pleasant to visit outdoor attractions and enjoy adventures in the sun.

South Oxfordshire is full of natural delights including the rolling Chiltern Hills and the River Thames flowing through towns such as Henley, as well as the fascinating historic city of Oxford. All around there are traditional English villages, many of which have featured in Midsomer Murders, Morse and other TV series.

There are also community focused towns, with shops, cafes, events and hotels; Thame, Henley and Banbury are some examples. Or you can escape into the tranquillity of the countryside. If you deserve some peace and quiet, why not extend your summer and book a break at The Peacock Country Inn, which lies in the heart of the Chilterns?

Appreciating Natural Beauty

From this base in the Chilterns, you can enjoy walks across the open countryside, as Red Kites fly overhead or cycle rides along one of the local dedicated paths. If you enjoy plants, you might be interested in finding out more about late flowering species at one of the local events. These include a guided walk; Orchids and other Beauties which will be held on Sunday 6 September on Chinnor Hill in Oxfordshire.

Later in the month, the impressive gardens of Waterperry House will be celebrating Michaelmas Daisies. You can come to see these flowers in all their glory, take photos or sketch them in the borders, whilst learning more about the gardens on 19th & 20th September and the following weekend.

Through September there are many other gardens opening their doors. In Oxfordshire, you can visit a wide variety of Open Gardens for NGS including Broughton Grange, the University of Oxford Botanical Gardens and Ashbrook House, which is said to have inspired Kenneth Grahame when he was writing Wind in the Willows.

Country Heritage

For an insight into local heritage, you can visit Country Crafts at Combe Mill, near Blenheim Palace, where it will be possible to see the steam and water powered sawmill in action, as well as spinning, weaving, basket making and other traditional craft skills. Steam powered trains can also be found chugging through the Chilterns from Chinnor Station to Princes Risborough on the 2nd, 6th and 9th August.

Shopping Trips

If you are keen to shop for a special occasion, there are many opportunities beyond the main streets of Oxford. Millets Farm is hosting a three days Craft and Gift Fair, with a full range of handcrafted items from 25th to the 27th September. On the same weekend, The Manor House Country House Hotel in Weston on the Green, near Bicester, will be hosting a wedding fair on Sunday 27th September.

Evening Entertainment

In addition to the live music that is performed on almost any evening in Oxford, there are other ways to sit back and be entertained at the end of a busy day. Why not get tickets for Journey’s End performed in Thames by the Thame Players between 8th and 12th September.

No matter how you like to spend your time, a late summer break in South Oxfordshire can really help you to get away from it all and relax. Therefore I would recommend the Peacock Country Inn.